You have the freedom to analyze, and you are encouraged to do so, but at some point you have to enter into this world of decidedness. This takes bravery. It’s very scary, because analyzing is like a handrail: it’s a support; it creates security. The rational mind justifies things, and it makes you feel comfortable. Everything is checked. But from there, you have to take this leap.
When you finally decide, “OK, this person is going to be my guru,” it will not delete all your doubt overnight. You have made this decision after a lot of analysis; that doesn’t mean you are without doubt. But your decision is now taking the lead.
It may even be good to tell your prospective guru, “Look, I’ve decided I want to be your student, but at times I will doubt you.” The guru has to understand. If there is a guru who expects you to have no doubt from the time you step through the door, this guru is an idiot. Actually, this guru doesn’t have the ingredients to be a guru.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
from the book The Guru Drinks Bourbon?
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Further quotes from the book The Guru Drinks Bourbon?:
- Beginning to subdue and outshine appearance and existence
- Controlled by circumstances
- Sooner or later, you will have to check
- Open-minded guru
- Famous unintentionally
- The very essence of the Spiritual journey
- The guru is like the horizon
- Humble Gurus
- Skillful Guru
- Modern Buddhadharma
- Guru
- Look beyond titles and hats
- Cultivating trust in simplicity
- Outer display of guru devotion
- Dharma without devotion
- Abundance and variety in the teachings is so important
- Check how the guru handles criticism
- Peeling of our patches of samsara
- Guru devotion and pure perception
- Hearing the Dharma